Some Practical Driving Test Tips

This blog devotes two days a week for driving test tips, but very often they are only theoretical. Today there's something different. Here is Thomas L Clark's article about some practical driving test tips.

Tips For Taking Your Driving Test

Driving tests - the last bastion of terror for many people who believe that their days of tests and exams are behind them. Typically lasting no more than 40 minutes, this experience is rarely enjoyable and can cause a lot of people to freak out, but the rewards are extremely valuable.

I took my test in 2009, although I should have taken it in 2007; however this was not possible due to a serious illness, passing with 8 minors, which I am told is average. I remember when I first sat in the driving seat of a car I was absolutely petrified, as well as being slightly bemused as to how it felt shockingly similar to an arcade game, but after 20 minutes or so I was away (at a gentle pace of 20 mph) and had started to enjoy it. A few months and a passed theory test later, I was well versed with how to drive and had most of the techniques down, except for bay parking which still bugs me from time to time.

I booked a test for the summer, however unfortunately developed bacterial meningitis and was unable to take my test - the illness also managed to damage my memory enough that I pretty much forgot how to drive. Two years later and a couple of catch-up lessons, I had remembered everything and took the test. The instructor was a very serious chap, not much for conversation and oddly enough chose to recline quite far back in his seat. Regardless of all this, the test went well enough - the parallel park was one of the worst I had done but it was satisfactory. It was a great feeling of elation walking out of the centre with the knowledge that I was now a fully-fledged driver!

Anyway, enough about me - below are my top tips for preparing for and passing your driving test.

5. Treat the examiner as a passenger, not a looming omen of failure

Whilst I am almost sure that clipboards were invented to unnerve people, the examiner is only using it to mark any passes or errors - they are not writing anything nasty! Just treat the examiner as a passenger or as your instructor and drive as you normally would.

4. Remember that the examiner wants you to pass and is not trying to trip you up

It is a common myth that examiners have a quota of pass and fails - they are always hoping that you will pass the test. Logically, it's always nicer to make someone happy than upset them. Just remember that the examiner is doing their job and has no ulterior motives.

3. Don't stress about the big things

Whilst you are allowed 14 minors to pass, do not focus only on the majors. Remember the little things - signalling, observation and speed management: a keen eye on these is more likely to impress the examiner than anything else.

2. Drive as you normally would on a lesson

Whilst it can be difficult to not think of the experience as a test, it really is the best thing to do. I know a lot of people who have no trouble with mock tests yet fail with the main one - just remind yourself that you have done all of this before and this is no different. There is just a different person in the car - that's pretty much it!

1. Relax

This was something I was told so many times that it had almost lost all meaning by the time I got to the test - but really it is the best thing to do. Deep breaths, a good night's sleep before and a hearty breakfast are the best things to do.

Hopefully you will have no trouble with your test - most of my trouble has since come from affording a car; however to remedy this I have chosen a Peugeot contract hire to save myself some money. This does allow me to drive when necessary and simply walk or take public transport when I feel green.

My final tip to you would be good luck and always remember, if you need to, you can re-take it!

Thomas Clark is a journalist specialising in automobiles on behalf of Central Contracts.

Source: EzineArticles.com.

Don't forget the most important tip: invest in a driving test guide, where you will find all these tips and many more instructions about passing for the very first time.

Nadav

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